Tyrique George Inspired Chelsea Comeback to Edge Past Lincoln City In EFL Cup  

By Aderonke Onaolapo

 

Chelsea finally broke their run of late-night misery as 18-year-old Tyrique George inspired comeback to edge past Lincoln City 2–1 in the EFL Cup.

Heading into the tie, Enzo Maresca’s side had lost three straight matches, all in midnight kick- offs, leaving supporters restless and critics questioning their resolve.

At Sincil Bank, it lookedlike another long night was looming when Lincoln striker Rob Street capitalised on hesitantdefending to put the home side ahead just before half-time.

“It was another nightmare start,” Maresca admitted.

“But at the break, my message was notabout tactics — it was about desire. We needed to show character.”

And character is exactly what Chelsea’s academy graduate delivered. Early in the second half, George picked up the ball outside the area and unleashed a curling strike that beat thegoalkeeper emphatically, drawing Chelsea level and igniting belief within the team.

Moments later, Facundo Buonanotte completed the turnaround, but the night belonged to George. His goal, a blend of youthful fearlessness and technical brilliance, shifted the mood of agame that had threatened to spiral out of control amid defensive errors and injury scares, including a heavy collision involving Wesley Fofana.

At full-time, Chelsea could finally exhale. The performance was far from flawless, yet the reliefwas palpable after three straight defeats.

“Tonight was not perfect, but it was necessary,” Maresca said, summing up a win that keeps Chelsea alive in the Carabao Cup and restores a measure of belief in a squad still searching forrhythm